VIDEO: First African city to host World Choir Games
Tshwane is the first city in Africa to host the games.
The capital city will host the 2018 World Choir Games next month, with thousands of people expected to attend the event.
The biennial will bring together cultures and nations from all over the world to meet and sing together, forming the world’s largest international choir competition.
Tshwane is the first city in Africa to host the games and eight venues have been chosen across the capital.
Here is what you can expect from the Cornwall Hill College Choir at the 2018 World Choir Games in Tshwane.
Watch them perform 'Moses and David' at ATKV in 2017.https://t.co/E2mXCWg9DH#WorldChoirGames #Tshwane2018 pic.twitter.com/K4T958vCOO— Tshwane2018 (@Tshwane2018) May 30, 2018
Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga officially launched the World Choir Games event on Tuesday in Pretoria.
Dubbed the Olympics of global choral community, the event is expected to attract thousands of choral music lovers and has been organised for ten years by Interkultur organisation.
WATCH the Monash South Africa Choir as they perform their rendition of Indlela/Koloi.
Buy tickets for the World Choir Games at the end of May to see them live this July. https://t.co/ixXnVAgslI#WorldChoirGames #Tshwane2018 pic.twitter.com/6ulMKTJfR4
— Tshwane2018 (@Tshwane2018) May 30, 2018
The organisation is made up of non-profit and commercial bodies that support cultural development on an international level.
The Interkultur network comprises some 120 000 choirs and choir associations.
Amateur choirs take part in the 11-day event, performing in competitions and friendship concerts, attending workshops and master classes, and participating in mass choral projects.
The Boulevard Harmonists hail from the North-West University.
The a cappella group of six voices has made its mark both locally and internationally.
Buy tickets at the end of May to see them live in July. #WorldChoirGames #Tshwane2018 pic.twitter.com/NyK7j2e7Wn
— Tshwane2018 (@Tshwane2018) May 29, 2018
The event will coincide with the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth and his life will be celebrated in melodious fashion.
“This will put our capital city on the international musical map,” said the mayor’s spokesperson Samkelo Mgobozi.
Mgobozi said the city was proud to host the 10th edition of this prestigious event in the same month as the centenary of the birth of South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Mandela, for whom music was a “great blessing”.
“He was fond of saying that ‘music has the power to elevate and liberate us. It sets people free to dream. It can unite us to sing with one voice. Such is the value of music’,” Mgobozi said.
The Mpumalanga Youth Choir, previously known as the Eastern Transvaal Youth Choir, was formed in 1981.
In 2015/17 Andre Oosthuizen took the choir to the Talent Africa competition in South Africa and the Talent America competition in New York.#WorldChoirGames #Tshwane2018 pic.twitter.com/6RxPIjyjBW
— Tshwane2018 (@Tshwane2018) May 29, 2018
He said the games would see 16 500 participants – along with family and friends – arrive in Pretoria for a fortnight of music and song, from 4 to 14 July.
Eunice Vitae Cantamus choir consists of 48 learners from grades 10 to 12.
The name means ‘Eunice lives to sing’ and was founded in January 2010.
The choir aims is to present vocal music of many different styles.#WorldChoirGames #Tshwane2018 pic.twitter.com/lnhKTGzX4u
— Tshwane2018 (@Tshwane2018) May 28, 2018
Mgobozi said apart from contributing to understanding and peace among nations, the games would have a great impact on Tshwane’s local economy – through providing accommodation, meals, tourist attractions and transport.
“The event will boost the profile of Tshwane globally, regionally and locally as a destination of choice, specifically as a city capable of hosting mega-events,” he said.
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